How did new biochemical pathways, which involve multiple enzymes working together in sequence, originate? Every pathway and nano-machine requires multiple protein/enzyme components to work. How did lucky accidents create even one of the components, let alone 10 or 20 or 30 at the same time, often in a necessary programmed sequence. Evolutionary biochemist Franklin Harold wrote, “we must concede that there are presently no detailed Darwinian accounts of the evolution of any biochemical or cellular system, only a variety of wishful speculations.”3 See: Design in living organisms (motors: ATP synthase)(includes animation).
Harold, Franklin M. (Prof. Emeritus Biochemistry, Colorado State University) The way of the cell: molecules, organisms and the order of life, Oxford University Press, New York, 2001, p. 205
15 Questions for Evolutionists -- Question 5 Question 5 in CMI's '15 Questions for Evolutionists' flyer focuses on the silence from the evolutionary community regarding a naturalistic explanation for origin of complex biochemical pathways and nano-machines. This is another huge problem for evolution story (just like all the other questions in this series) requiring great faith on the part of those who believe evolution, in spite of the science against it.
RMCF members enjoyed a unique experience at the July 8, 2011 meeting, where James Nickel of Wenatchee, WA spoke on his specialty, mathematics and creation. James Nickel is a mathematics teacher at the Potter’s School, which partners with families to provide a wide range of training and resources for family discipleship and home education. His book, “Mathematics: Is God Silent” is available at his website, biblicalchristianworldview.net
This book revolutionizes the prevailing understanding and teaching of math. The addition of this book is a must for all upper-level Christian school curricula and for college students and adults interested in math or related fields of science and religion. It will serve as a solid refutation for the claim, often made in court, that mathematics is one subject, which cannot be taught from a distinctively Biblical perspective.
Part 2
James spoke about a Grand Mystery of science, which is a conundrum to many mathematicians and
philosophers: the fact that the physical world can be comprehended. A. Einstein wrote: “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.”—there appears to be no reason to justify its comprehension. Mathematics is a key player in this whole situation. Mathematician Richard Courant said, “That mathematics, an emanation of the human mind, should serve so effectively for the description and understanding of the physical world is a challenging fact,” a mystery of mysteries. Naturalists admit they have no clue as to the reason why the universe is intelligible; it is not at all “natural” that laws of nature exist, much less that man is able to discern them. Amazingly, many aspects of empirical reality seem to fit themselves into established mathematical forms, as if through a kind of pre-adaptation.
Many scientists say there is no rational explanation for the enormous usefulness of mathematics in the natural sciences. In a naturalist context, that is true: Given only TIME plus MATTER and RANDOM processes, nothing should be comprehensible! There should, therefore, be no coherence between thought and the physical world, given this premise of naturalism. But, since this coherence does exist, naturalists must embrace blind faith. John Polkinghorne, theoretical physicist says, “Science does not explain the mathematical intelligibility of the physical world because it is a part of scientists’ founding faith that it is so!”
So, is there justification for why the universe is “user friendly,” and is there a reason why mathematics works so effectively in the application and discovery of science? The answer lies in the CREATION. The
universe points beyond itself to an intelligent source thatis non-physical. The universe does not generate
rationality; it only reveals it! Therefore, there must be a transcendent source for this rationality.
Nickel asserts that the physical world has been ordered in such a way as to be accessible by mathematics.
There is a connection between the mathematical thinking of the human mind and the workings of the physical
world. According to Oxford mathematician John Lennox, “The intelligibility of the universe is grounded
in the intelligence of God who created both it and the human mind. Hence, it is not surprising that mathematical theories spun by creative human minds, themselves created in the image of God, find ready
application in a universe whose architect was that same Creator God.”
Nickel also asserts that mathematical concepts always arise from an impulse for beauty. The universe is built on a plan of profound symmetry, which is evident throughout the whole creation: the solar system, human body, particle physics, etc., and this beautiful symmetry is somehow present in the inner structure of our intellect. It is unreasonable to expect, on purely naturalistic grounds, that what arises from the impulse for beauty should be effective in physics. But a significant number of these concepts, born out of a desire for beauty, are significantly effective in physics. We are talking about a paradox of the utility of beauty, and we are dealing with a miracle of the second order of magnitude.
Newton’s inverse-square Law of Gravitation, elegantly simple and accurate, and the similar Coulomb law of
electrostatic repulsion are examples of the highly ordered physical laws that yield to a mathematical description of profound beauty and tractability. Mathematicians look at Maxwell’s equations of the
electromagnetic theory and say, “This is beautiful.” The equations predicted the existence of electromagnetic
waves before they were discovered. A devout Christian and creationist, Maxwell had the words of Psalm 111 engraved over his laboratory in Cambridge: “Great are the works of the Lord, pondered by those who delight in them,” That’s what Creation Science is: Investigating
the works of the Lord [and seeing His attributes there].
The reason that math works in science, ie., the way we account for the suitability of mathematical theory to the laws of the physical world, is by turning to scripture: Biblical Christianity, as opposed to a “nature-first”
impersonal philosophy, is a “Logos-first” personal worldview (meaning, the Word of John Chapter 1). We
read in Col 1:15, that Christ is the first principle and the upholding principle of the whole scheme of Creation. The Logos is a personal God-man, “In Whom and by Whom all things are created, by Whom all things consist and cohere.” (Phillips). Christ is the true source of rationality in the universe, the rationality outside of man and the rationality inside. In the Biblical Christian worldview, God designed a “user friendly” Creation where the world of human thought mirrors the deep structure of the world. This is THE challenge to naturalism. The answer is in embracing the Biblical Christian doctrine of Creation. The mind of man, with its mathematical capabilities, and the physical world with its observable mathematical order, cohere (connect, correlate) because of a common Creator. Einstein’s eternal mystery has a solution: the Biblical revelation of the Creator God is the unifying factor that reconciles what is irreconcilable in a naturalistic context. Amen.
Thanks to James Nickel for a fascinating presentation.
The chilling impact of Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Darwin's Deadly Legacy looks at the grim social impact of Charles Darwin's idea that all life is the product of time and chance. That theory - never proven and now increasingly discredited - laid the foundation for genocide in Nazi Germany, Adolt Hitler, a disciple of Darwin, tried to speed up evolution by subjecting some 12 million men, women, and children to a horrible death in the Holocaust. Presented by D. James Kennedy.
Creation Today | Mar 29, 2012
Are some of earth's geologic features best described as the result of a worldwide flood? Eric Hovind and Paul Taylor welcome Ian Juby for part 2 of a captivating discussion of evidence for the biblical flood.
Make sure to check out Ian Juby's extensive college of creation / evolution videos at his Youtube channel Wazooloo!
Why is natural selection, a principle recognized by creationists, taught as 'evolution', as if it explains the origin of the diversity of life? By definition it is a selective process (selecting from already existing information), so is not a creative process. It might explain the survival of the fittest (why certain genes benefit creatures more in certain environments), but not the arrival of the fittest (where the genes and creatures came from in the first place). The death of individuals not adapted to an environment and the survival of those that are suited does not explain the origin of the traits that make an organism adapted to an environment. E.g., how do minor back-and-forth variations in finch beaks explain the origin of beaks or finches? How does natural selection explain goo-to-you evolution? See: Evolutionist Dr John Endler's refreshing clarity about 'natural selection' has been largely ignored.
Question 4 in CMI's '15 Questions for Evolutionists' flyer challenges evolutionists to explain how natural selection can be the creative process evolutionists require. Natural selection explains the survival of the fittest, adaptation and variation within a kind leading to the great diversity of living things. It fits well with the biblical notion that God created life with the necessary programming to live in a variety of environments. Richard Fangrad and Calvin Smith discuss the question and the attempts to answer it.
Research in recent years by leading (evolutionist) geneticists has revealed catastrophically high mutation rates in humans. This would be a good thing if mutations really cause upward evolution. Instead the human race is plunging toward extinction. Based on data from genetics humans could not have been evolving for millions of years, we would already be extinct.
If Earth is only 6000 years old, then how can we see light from distant sources like the Andromeda galaxy, which is 2 million light years away? Is PBS Nova correct? Has the Big Bang theory been proven long ago? Does the Bible really have anything to say, either directly or indirectly, about these issues? The answers are there. The answers are plain. Learn about the most recent theories from evolutionists and creationists. You be the judge which ones are right.
Dr. Charles Jackson has four degrees in science and education (EdD Sci Ed, Univ of VA, 1994; MS Enviro Bio, George Mason Univ; MEd Sci Ed, GMU; BS Bio, GMU). From 1980 to 2002, he taught secondary school sciences 11 years, then college biology and chemistry 6 years, and then teacher education classes 6 yrs in VA, MD, VT and TN. In 2003, Dr. Jackson founded Points of Origins Ministries and began teaching, speaking, and debating in creation science education. His emphasis has been in making the case for the literal interpretation of the Scriptural accounts as being both scientifically and historically true, and indeed eminently superior in their accuracy, compared to secular sources referencing the same topics. As a former youth pastor and schoolteacher, the work of “Dr. J” has been primarily focused toward Christian youth. Keenly interested in the liberation of Bible-believing college students, from the delusion that their faith has been refuted by modern scientific understandings, Dr. J has crusaded against evolutionary dogma on college campuses across the mainland United States, and also in Venezuela and Peru. He has presented creation science instruction to kindergarteners, to church congregations and youth groups, to both secular and Christian high school and college faculties, to student assemblies from elementary through high school, and to Christian groups on many college campuses. He has also defeated many professors and grad students in debates on topics of the evolutionary dogma, all to the glory of God, and to the truth of His Word. The secret to the success of Dr. J’s ministry has not merely been the god-given gifts of academic and communication skills, but an ultimate dependence upon the Spirit of God, while debating the issues in the public forum. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” James 1:5 “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good.” Proverbs 16:20 “For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” Luke 12:12
